Electric Circuits

Resources:

PhET simulation – DC electric circuit lab, simple circuit kit with battery, wires, bulb, switch

Learning objectives:

1. Understanding different components of an electric circuit
2. Understanding open and closed circuits
3. Learning to construct a circuit using basic components such as battery, wires, bulb, switch
4. Exploring conductivity

Some observed misconceptions in students that can be addressed through discussions during the transaction of this module:

• Connecting a battery and a bulb using a single wire makes it a circuit
• Current is ‘used up’ as it flows round the circuit
• It is not possible to construct a circuit without switch
• It is not possible to construct a circuit without a bulb / Current needs a bulb to flow through
• A battery, bulb, switch and wire are all necessary to construct a circuit and it is not possible if any of these components is not available
• Current does not flow when the battery is reversed
• Length of wire used may affect the speed of current and the brightness of the bulb

Session details:

1. Begin the session with asking students what they know about circuits, discuss what it could mean. Analogy of water current flow can be used to explain current flow.
2. Open the PhET simulation and show the basic components available and ask students what is needed to make a circuit.
3. Ask them to draw a circuit in their note books that can make a light bulb glow. Recreate a few of the drawn circuits on the PhET simulation
4. Next ask students what may happen if the battery is reversed, whether the bulb would still glow and discuss their hypotheses. Reverse the terminals and run the simulation
5. Ask students what is the function of a switch and why it is needed. Next ask them to redraw their circuits connecting a switch
6. Recreate some of the circuits for demonstration
7. Ask students whether it is possible to create a circuit using only a battery and wires. Ask them to try drawing such a circuit and what would happen in that case.
8. Discuss about short circuits
9. Connect different items to check for conductivity. Ask students to predict and then show the simulation
10. Discuss conductors and insulators
11. Divide students into groups and have them construct an actual circuit using simple electric components
12. Discuss what the light bulb could be replaced with – motor, buzzer, etc.